Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the term "standards" often referred to banners, flags, or ensigns used by tribes, armies, or groups to signify identity, rally troops, or mark positions. These standards held both practical and symbolic significance, serving as a means of organization and a representation of divine presence and guidance.
Old Testament Usage1.
Tribal Standards in the Wilderness: In the Book of Numbers, God instructed Moses on the arrangement of the Israelite camp during their wilderness journey. Each tribe was to camp by its own standard.
Numbers 2:2 states, "The Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting at a distance from it, each man under his standard, with the banners of his family." These standards helped maintain order and unity among the tribes, each of which had its own unique emblem or banner.
2.
Military Standards: Standards were also used in military contexts. They served as rallying points for troops and were often carried into battle. The presence of a standard could inspire courage and confidence among soldiers, as it was seen as a symbol of their cause and divine favor.
3.
Symbol of Divine Presence: In some instances, standards were associated with the presence and guidance of God. For example, the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night that led the Israelites through the wilderness can be seen as divine standards, representing God's leadership and protection (
Exodus 13:21-22).
Symbolism and Prophetic Imagery1.
Prophetic Visions: Standards are used symbolically in prophetic literature to convey messages of warning, judgment, or deliverance. In
Isaiah 11:10 , the prophet speaks of a future time when "the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will seek Him, and His place of rest will be glorious." Here, the standard represents the Messiah, who will draw people to Himself and establish a kingdom of peace.
2.
Call to Action: Prophets often used the imagery of raising a standard to call God's people to action or repentance.
Jeremiah 51:12 declares, "Raise a banner against the walls of Babylon! Reinforce the guard; station the watchmen; prepare the ambushes. For the LORD has both devised and accomplished what He spoke against the people of Babylon." The standard serves as a signal for mobilization and divine intervention.
New Testament ContextWhile the New Testament does not frequently mention physical standards, the concept of a standard as a symbol of identity and allegiance is present. Believers are called to uphold the standards of Christ's teachings and to live in a manner worthy of the gospel.
Philippians 1:27 exhorts, "Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending side by side for the faith of the gospel."
Theological ImplicationsIn a broader theological sense, standards represent the call to holiness and the distinct identity of God's people. Just as the Israelites were organized and identified by their tribal standards, Christians are called to be set apart, living according to the standards set by God through His Word. This involves a commitment to righteousness, truth, and the proclamation of the gospel, serving as a living standard or testimony to the world.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
StandardsThe Assyrian standards were emblematic of their religion, and were therefore the more valuable as instruments for leading and guiding men in the army. The forms were imitations of animals (1), emblems of deities (2), and symbols of power and wisdom (3). Many of them were crude, but others were highly artistic and of great cost. The Egyptian standards were designed in the same idea as those of the Romans, exhibiting some sacred emblem (5,6,8), or a god in the form of an animal (3,4), a group of victory (7), or the king's name or his portrait as (1), of lower, and (2) of upper, Egypt, or an emblematic sign, as No. 9.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
STANDARDSstand'-ardz.
SeeWAR, 5;BANNER; ASTRONOMY, sec. II, 7.
Greek
3046. litra -- a pound (in weight, by Rom.standards)...standards). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: litra Phonetic Spelling:
(lee'-trah) Short Definition: a Roman pound Definition: a Roman pound, of
...1557. ekdikesis -- vengeance, vindication
... 1557 (a feminine noun derived from 1537 , " and " and 1349 , "justice, judge") --
properly, judgment which fully executes the core-values (standards) of the...
5098. timoria -- punishment, vengeance
... 5097 , "authorized to administer recompense, punishment") -- punishment, meted out
from the view of the party, emphasizing the value-system (standards) of the...
4646. skolios -- curved, winding, hence crooked
... because (like a piece of wood); (figuratively) morally (warped) because lacking
the oil of the Holy Spirit -- hence, to God (Hisstandards); "perverse, unjust...
2916. krithinos -- of barley
... speaks of a turgid rhetorician as a 'barley orator,' inflated like barley in moisture:
and Livy relates how cohorts which had lost theirstandards were ordered...
Strong's Hebrew
226. oth -- a sign... Word Origin from avah Definition a sign NASB Word Usage banners (1), omens (1),
pledge (1), sign (43), signs (30),
standards (1), witness (1), wondrous (1).
...1714. degel -- a standard, banner
... Word Origin from dagal Definition a standard, banner NASB Word Usage banner
(1), standard (10),standards (3). banner, standard....
Library
Standards of Life and Service
Standards of Life and Service. <.Standards of Life and Service
TH Howard. Produced by Curtis Weyant and the Online...
The WestminsterStandards in America.
... VII. THE WESTMINSTERSTANDARDS. 98. The WestminsterStandards in America. With
the Puritan emigration from England and the Presbyterian...
Commentaries andStandards on the Birth of Water and Spirit.
... Commentaries andStandards on the Birth of Water and Spirit. Inasmuch as
there is some tendency, in the interest of a modern view...
The LiturgicalStandards of the Roman Church.
... A HISTORY OF THE CREEDS OF CHRISTENDOM 35. The LiturgicalStandards of
the Roman Church. Literature. Missale Romanum, ex decreto...
The WestminsterStandards in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
... VII. THE WESTMINSTERSTANDARDS. 99. The WestminsterStandards in the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Sources. I. On the part of...
The DoctrinalStandards of the Russo-Greek Church.
... A HISTORY OF THE CREEDS OF CHRISTENDOM 19. The DoctrinalStandards of the
Russo-Greek Church. Literature. I. Russian Doctrine and Theology:...
A New Age and NewStandards
... THE SOCIAL IDEAL OF JESUS Chapter VI. A New Age And NewStandards. As the Kingdom
Comes EthicalStandards Must Advance... First Day: Living up to the OldStandards....
Standards of Life and Service
Standards of Life and Service. <.... Title Page.STANDARDS OF. LIFE AND SERVICE.
BY. COMMISSIONER TH HOWARD. THE SALVATION ARMY BOOK DEPARTMENT....
Annas and Caiaphas, Summas and Datam, Gamaliel, Judas, Levi...
... As Jesus, then, was going in, and the standard-bearers bearing thestandards, the
heads of thestandards were bowed of themselves, and adored Jesus....
Having Called a Council, the High Priests and Scribes Annas and...
... And Jesus going in, and the standard-bearers holding theirstandards, the
tops of thestandards were bent down, and adored Jesus....
Thesaurus
Standards (14 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
STANDARDS. stand'-ardz.
... II, 7. Multi-Version
Concordance
Standards (14 Occurrences). John 8:15 You judge according to the flesh.
...Banner (20 Occurrences)
... Thesestandards, of which there were four, were worked with embroidery and beautifully
ornamented (Numbers 1:52; 2:2, 3, 10, 18, 25; Cant. 2:4; 6:4, 10)....
Cruelty (8 Occurrences)
... acts on the part of chosen individuals and the elect nation which are marked by
gross cruelty, particularly when measured by the leaders arestandards of our...
Cruel (196 Occurrences)
... acts on the part of chosen individuals and the elect nation which are marked by
gross cruelty, particularly when measured by the leaders arestandards of our...
Desolation (131 Occurrences)
... (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; Comp. Luke 21:20), is interpreted of the eagles, the
standards of the Roman army, which were an abomination to the Jews....
Truth (380 Occurrences)
... GENERAL VIEW 1. Aspects of Truth (1) Ontological (2) Logical (3) Moral (4) Religious
2.Standards of Truth 3. Special Features in Biblical Writings III....
157600 (2 Occurrences)
... hundred. They shall set out last by theirstandards." (See NAS NIV).... hundred.
They shall set out last by theirstandards." (See NAS NIV)....
Journeyed (111 Occurrences)
... tent of meeting -- the camp of the Levites -- hath journeyed in the midst of the
camps; as they encamp so they journey, each at his station by theirstandards....
Standard (42 Occurrences)
... As they encamp, so shall they set out, every man in his place, by their
standards. (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Archaeology
... The innumerable literary remains of Egypt and Babylonia reveal methods andstandards
very different from each other, and still more different from those of...
Resources
Is there such a thing as absolute truth / universal truth? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is moral absolutism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about compromise? | GotQuestions.orgStandards: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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